A date has been set for the official unveiling of the iconic swan statue in Stapenhill Gardens following a major facelift.

Members of the public and dignitaries are invited to the special ceremony, which will also launch the new Peace and Unity Gardens.

Stapenhill Parish Council has developed the new section of Stapenhill Gardens next to the toilets and the shelter.

A spokesman for the parish council said: "The garden has been created to acknowledge that we are a diverse people and need to work together in order to solve the strife in the world while celebrating our differences.

"It is being opened in the centenary year of the ending of the Great War with an oak tree at its centre.

The Stapenhill Swan in Stapenhill gardens is going to be having a refurbishment.
The council have decided to take responsibility for the upkeep of the ornamental swan in the grounds and will be giving it a much needed refurbishment before it falls apart.
It was installed in around 1953 to 1954
It was installed in around 1953 to 1954

"We have had a horseshoe-shaped path laid, wide enough for disabled access, and two benches.

"The beds will be planted next year with wild flowers, but this year we are putting in bedding plants due to time constraints."

Councillor Syed Hussain, who represents Burton on Staffordshire County Council, contributed £850 from his Staffordshire Local Community Fund to help buy the benches.

The parish council has paid for all other work and East Staffordshire Borough Council's greenhouse team is providing the plants and workers free of charge. The total cost of the project, including the swan restoration, was around £6,000.

The Swan at Stapenhill Gardens in September 1970

The swan, which is used to plant flowers, underwent a facelift this month following campaigning from residents.

Ian Siddals, an executive committee member of the Burton Civic Society, raised concerns about the state of the much-loved giant swan statue with the borough council in October last year.

The swan, which was built in the 1950s by Stapenhill gardeners Fred Bateman and Bill Roe, has become an iconic landmark for residents and visitors to the town.

Damaged sections of the swan have been repaired and it has been cleaned ahead of rendering and painting.

The Stapenhill Swan in Stapenhill gardens is going to be having a refurbishment.
The council have decided to take responsibility for the upkeep of the ornamental swan in the grounds and will be giving it a much needed refurbishment before it falls apart.
It was installed in around 1953 to 1954
The swan was in need of repair

Work on the swan started on Monday, June 4, and the unveiling ceremony will take place at 11am on Sunday, July 1.

There will be a short ceremony opening the Peace and Unity Gardens before Mr Siddals re-dedicates the swan, with the help of speakers and an apprentice gardener who was involved in the original installation of the swan.

There will also be memory boards of people from all over the world.